118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 9076 

AN ACT 

To reauthorize child welfare programs under part B of title 

IV of the Social Security Act and strengthen the State 

and tribal child support enforcement program under part 

D of such title, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Supporting America’s 

3 Children and Families Act’’. 

4 TITLE I—CHILD WELFARE REAU5 THORIZATION AND MOD6 ERNIZATION 

7 SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES. 

8 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This title may be cited as the 

9 ‘‘Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Fami10 lies Act’’. 

11 (b) REFERENCES.—Except as otherwise expressly 

12 provided, wherever in this title an amendment or repeal 

13 is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, 

14 a section or other provision, the reference shall be consid15 ered to be made to that section or other provision of the 

16 Social Security Act. 

17 SEC. 102. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

18 The table of contents of this title is as follows: 

Sec. 101. Short title; references. 

Sec. 102. Table of contents. 

Sec. 103. Reauthorization of child welfare programs. 

Sec. 104. Enhancements to the court improvement program. 

Sec. 105. Expanding regional partnership grants to address parental substance 

use disorder as cause of child removal. 

Sec. 106. Modernization; reducing administrative burden. 

Sec. 107. Streamlining funding for Indian tribes. 

Sec. 108. Accelerating access to Family First prevention services. 

Sec. 109. Strengthening support for youth aging out of foster care. 

Sec. 110. Recognizing the importance of relative and kinship caregivers. 

Sec. 111. Avoiding neglect by addressing poverty. 

Sec. 112. Strengthening support for caseworkers. 

Sec. 113. Demonstration projects for improving relationships between incarcerated parents and children in foster care. 
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Sec. 114. Guidance to States on improving data collection and reporting for 

youth in residential treatment programs. 

Sec. 115. Streamlining research, training, and technical assistance funding. 

Sec. 116. Report on post adoption and subsidized guardianship services. 

Sec. 117. Effective date. 

1 SEC. 103. REAUTHORIZATION OF CHILD WELFARE PRO2 GRAMS. 

3 (a) REAUTHORIZATION OF SUBPART 1; DISCRE4 TIONARY FUNDING.—Section 425 (42 U.S.C. 625) is 

5 amended by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and inserting 

6 ‘‘2025 through 2029’’. 

7 (b) REAUTHORIZATION OF SUBPART 2; ENHANCED

8 SUPPORT.—Section 436(a) (42 U.S.C. 629f(a)) is amend9 ed by striking ‘‘each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’ 

10 and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2025 and $420,000,000 for 

11 each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029’’. 

12 (c) REAUTHORIZATION OF SUBPART 2; DISCRE13 TIONARY FUNDING.—Section 437(a) (42 U.S.C. 629g(a)) 

14 is amended by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and insert15 ing ‘‘2025 through 2029’’. 

16 (d) FUNDING LIMITATION.—Section 423(a)(2)(A) 

17 (42 U.S.C. 623(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, not 

18 to exceed $10,000,000’’ before the semicolon. 

19 SEC. 104. ENHANCEMENTS TO THE COURT IMPROVEMENT 

20 PROGRAM. 

21 (a) INCREASE IN RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Section 

22 436(b)(2) (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(2)) is amended by inserting 
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1 ‘‘for fiscal year 2025 and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 

2 and each succeeding fiscal year’’ before ‘‘for grants’’. 

3 (b) EXTENSION OF STATE MATCH REQUIREMENT.— 

4 Section 438(d) (42 U.S.C. 629h(d)) is amended by strik5 ing ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2025 through 

6 2029’’. 

7 (c) PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.—Section 438(a) (42 

8 U.S.C. 629h(a)) is amended— 

9 (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 

10 following: 

11 ‘‘(F) that determine the appropriateness 

12 and best practices for use of technology to con13 duct remote hearings, subject to participant 

14 consent, including to ensure maximum partici15 pation of individuals involved in proceedings 

16 and to enable courts to maintain operations in 

17 times of public health or other emergencies;’’; 

18 (2) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ‘‘per19 sonnel.’’ and inserting ‘‘personnel and supporting 

20 optimal use of remote hearing technology; and’’; and 

21 (3) by adding at the end the following: 

22 ‘‘(3) to ensure continuity of needed court serv23 ices, prevent disruption of the services, and enable 

24 their recovery from threats such as public health cri-
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1 ses, natural disasters or cyberattacks, including 

2 through— 

3 ‘‘(A) support for technology that allows 

4 court proceedings to occur remotely subject to 

5 participant consent, including hearings and 

6 legal representation; 

7 ‘‘(B) the development of guidance and pro8 tocols for responding to the occurrences and co9 ordinating with other agencies; and 

10 ‘‘(C) other activities carried out to ensure 

11 backup systems are in place.’’. 

12 (d) IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE ON SHARING BEST

13 PRACTICES FOR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES NEEDED FOR

14 REMOTE COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR FOSTER CARE OR

15 ADOPTION.—Section 438 (42 U.S.C. 629h) is amended by 

16 adding at the end the following: 

17 ‘‘(e) GUIDANCE.— 

18 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Every 5 years, the Sec19 retary shall issue implementation guidance for shar20 ing information on best practices for— 

21 ‘‘(A) technological changes needed for 

22 court proceedings for foster care, guardianship, 

23 or adoption to be conducted remotely in a way 

24 that maximizes engagement and protects the 

25 privacy of participants; and 
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1 ‘‘(B) the manner in which the proceedings 

2 should be conducted. 

3 ‘‘(2) INITIAL ISSUANCE.—The Secretary shall 

4 issue initial guidance required by paragraph (1) with 

5 preliminary information on best practices not later 

6 than October 1, 2025. 

7 ‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION.—The Sec8 retary shall consult with Indian tribes on the devel9 opment of appropriate guidelines for State court 

10 proceedings involving Indian children to maximize 

11 engagement of Indian tribes and provide appropriate 

12 guidelines on conducting State court proceedings 

13 subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 

14 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.).’’. 

15 SEC. 105. EXPANDING REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANTS 

16 TO ADDRESS PARENTAL SUBSTANCE USE DIS17 ORDER AS CAUSE OF CHILD REMOVAL. 

18 (a) INCREASE IN RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Section 

19 436(b)(5) (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(5)) is amended by striking 

20 ‘‘each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’ and inserting 

21 ‘‘fiscal year 2025 and $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 

22 and each succeeding fiscal year’’. 

23 (b) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 437(f) (42 U.S.C. 

24 629g(f)) is amended— 

25 (1) in paragraph (3)(A)— 
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1 (A) by striking ‘‘In addition to amounts 

2 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 

3 section, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 

4 (B) by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and 

5 inserting ‘‘2025 through 2029’’; and 

6 (2) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘for each of 

7 fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’. 

8 (c) AUTHORITY TO WAIVE PLANNING PHASE.—Sec9 tion 437(f)(3)(B)(iii) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(3)(B)(iii)) is 

10 amended— 

11 (1) by striking all that precedes ‘‘grant award12 ed’’ and inserting the following: 

13 ‘‘(iii) SUFFICIENT PLANNING.— 

14 ‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—A’’; and 

15 (2) by striking ‘‘may not exceed $250,000, 

16 and’’; and 

17 (3) by adding after and below the end the fol18 lowing: 

19 ‘‘(II) EXCEPTION.—The Sec20 retary, on a case-by-case basis, may 

21 waive the planning phase for a part22 nership that demonstrates that the 

23 partnership has engaged in sufficient 

24 planning before submitting an appli-
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1 cation for a grant under this sub2 section.’’. 

3 (d) EXPANDING AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE-BASED

4 SERVICES.— 

5 (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 437(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 

6 629g(f)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and expand 

7 the scope of the evidence-based services that may be 

8 approved by the clearinghouse established under sec9 tion 476(d)’’ before the period. 

10 (2) CONSIDERATIONS FOR AWARDING

11 GRANTS.—Section 437(f)(7) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(7)) 

12 is amended— 

13 (A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub14 paragraph (D); 

15 (B) by striking the period at the end of 

16 subparagraph (E) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

17 (C) by adding at the end the following: 

18 ‘‘(F) have submitted information pursuant 

19 to paragraph (4)(F) that demonstrates the ca20 pability to participate in rigorous evaluation of 

21 program effectiveness.’’. 

22 (e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON USING REGIONAL

23 PARTNERSHIP GRANT FUNDS IN COORDINATION WITH

24 OTHER FEDERAL FUNDS TO BETTER SERVE FAMILIES
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1 AFFECTED BY A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.—Section 

2 435(d) (42 U.S.C. 629e(d)) is amended— 

3 (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 

4 (4); 

5 (2) by striking the period at the end of para6 graph (5) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

7 (3) by adding at the end the following: 

8 ‘‘(6) use grants under section 437(f) in coordi9 nation with other Federal funds to better serve fami10 lies in the child welfare system that are affected by 

11 a substance use disorder.’’. 

12 (f) PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.—Section 

13 437(f)(8)(A) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(8)(A)) is amended in the 

14 1st sentence— 

15 (1) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ the 1st place 

16 it appears and inserting ‘‘the Protecting America’s 

17 Children by Strengthening Families Act’’; 

18 (2) by inserting ‘‘child permanency, reunifica19 tion, re-entry into care,’’ before ‘‘parental recovery’’; 

20 and 

21 (3) by inserting ‘‘, and access to services for 

22 families with substance use disorder, including those 

23 with children who are overrepresented in foster care, 

24 difficult to place, or have disproportionately low per25 manency rates’’ before the period. 
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1 (g) PERFORMANCE INDICATOR CONSULTATION RE2 QUIRED.—Section 437(f)(8)(B) (42 U.S.C. 

3 629g(f)(8)(B)) is amended by redesignating clause (iii) as 

4 clause (iv) and inserting after clause (ii) the following: 

5 ‘‘(iii) The Administrator of the Na6 tional Institute on Drug Abuse.’’. 

7 (h) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Section 437(f)(9)(B) 

8 (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(9)(B)) is amended— 

9 (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause (ii); 

10 (2) by striking the period at the end of clause 

11 (iii) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

12 (3) by adding at the end the following: 

13 ‘‘(iv) whether any programs funded by 

14 the grants were submitted to the clearing15 house established under section 476(d) for 

16 review and the results of any such re17 view.’’. 

18 (i) PRIORITY FOR STATEWIDE SERVICE GROWTH.— 

19 Section 437(f)(7) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(7)), as amended by 

20 subsection (d)(2) of this section, is amended— 

21 (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara22 graph (E); 

23 (2) by striking the period at the end of sub24 paragraph (F) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

25 (3) by adding at the end the following: 
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1 ‘‘(G) are a State or public agency, or out2 line a plan to increase the availability of serv3 ices funded under the grant statewide.’’. 

4 (j) ADDITION OF JUVENILE COURT AS REQUIRED

5 PARTNER.—Section 437(f)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 

6 629g(f)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the fol7 lowing: 

8 ‘‘(iii) The most appropriate adminis9 trative office of the juvenile court or State 

10 court overseeing court proceedings involv11 ing families who come to the attention of 

12 the court due to child abuse or neglect.’’. 

13 (k) ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL PARTNER.—Section 

14 437(f)(2)(C) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(2)(C)) is amended by re15 designating clause (ix) as clause (x) and inserting after 

16 clause (viii) the following: 

17 ‘‘(ix) State or local agencies that ad18 minister Federal health care, housing, fam19 ily support, or other related programs.’’. 

20 (l) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 

21 (1) Section 437(f)(2)(D) (42 U.S.C. 

22 629g(f)(2)(D)) is amended— 

23 (A) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause 

24 (i); 
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1 (B) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of 

2 clause (ii) and inserting a period; and 

3 (C) by striking clause (iii). 

4 (2) Section 437(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(2)) is 

5 amended by striking subparagraph (B) and redesig6 nating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs 

7 (B) and (C), respectively 

8 SEC. 106. MODERNIZATION; REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE 

9 BURDEN. 

10 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 431 (42 U.S.C. 629a) is 

11 amended by adding at the end the following: 

12 ‘‘(c) USE OF TECHNOLOGY.— 

13 ‘‘(1) USE OF PORTAL.—The services referred to 

14 in subsection (a) may include the means of access to 

15 and use of an electronic or digital portal to facilitate 

16 the provision of community support to care for and 

17 meet specific needs of families and children. 

18 ‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Such a portal shall not re19 tain or share personally identifiable information 

20 about a beneficiary without consent or for any pur21 pose other than referral.’’. 

22 (b) ALLOWING SUPPORT FOR FAMILY RESOURCE

23 CENTERS.—Section 431(a) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)) is amend24 ed— 
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1 (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘, includ2 ing services provided by family resource centers,’’ 

3 before ‘‘designed’’; and 

4 (2) by adding at the end the following: 

5 ‘‘(10) FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER.— 

6 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘family re7 source center’ means a community or school8 based hub of support services for families 

9 that— 

10 ‘‘(i) utilizes an approach that is multi11 generational, strengths-based, and family12 centered; 

13 ‘‘(ii) reflects, and is responsive to, 

14 community needs and interests; 

15 ‘‘(iii) provides support at no or low 

16 cost for participants; and 

17 ‘‘(iv) builds communities of peer sup18 port for families, including kinship fami19 lies, to develop social connections that re20 duce isolation and stress. 

21 ‘‘(B) SPECIAL RULE.—For purposes of 

22 this subpart, an expenditure for a service pro23 vided by a family resource center may be treat24 ed as an expenditure for any 1 or more of fam25 ily support services, family preservation serv-
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1 ices, family reunification services, or adoption 

2 promotion and support services as long as the 

3 expenditure is related to serving the children 

4 and families in the specified category and con5 sistent with the overall purpose of the cat6 egory.’’. 

7 (c) UPDATING STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Sec8 tion 422(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(1)) is amended to read 

9 as follows: 

10 ‘‘(1) provide that a State agency will administer 

11 or supervise the administration of the plan under 

12 this subpart;’’. 

13 (d) ACCESS TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION.—Section 

14 422(b)(4) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(4)) is amended— 

15 (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara16 graph (A); 

17 (2) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara18 graph (B); and 

19 (3) by adding at the end the following: 

20 ‘‘(C) the steps that the State will take to 

21 ensure that, with respect to any judicial pro22 ceeding involving a child and in which there is 

23 an allegation of child abuse or neglect, includ24 ing a proceeding on dependency, adoption, 

25 guardianship, or termination of parental rights, 
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1 information about available independent legal 

2 representation is provided to— 

3 ‘‘(i) the child, as appropriate; and 

4 ‘‘(ii) any individual who is a parent or 

5 guardian, or has legal custody, of the 

6 child;’’. 

7 (e) SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL8 BEING OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.—Section 

9 422(b)(15)(A) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(15) is amended— 

10 (1) in the matter preceding clause (i)— 

11 (A) by inserting ‘‘and, if applicable, the 

12 State agency responsible for mental health serv13 ices,’’ before ‘‘and in consultation’’; and 

14 (B) by inserting ‘‘mental health pro15 viders,’’ before ‘‘other experts’’; 

16 (2) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘a list of services 

17 provided to support the physical and’’ before ‘‘emo18 tional’’; 

19 (3) in clause (iv), by inserting ‘‘and mental 

20 health’’ before ‘‘services’’; 

21 (4) in clause (v), by inserting ‘‘, informed con22 sent of youth, and compliance with professional 

23 practice guidelines’’ before the semicolon; and 

24 (5) in clause (vi), by inserting ‘‘, licensed men25 tal health providers,’’ before ‘‘or other’’. 
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1 (f) REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.— 

2 (1) IN GENERAL.—Subpart 3 of part B of title 

3 IV (42 U.S.C. 629m) is amended by redesignating 

4 section 440 as section 443 and inserting before such 

5 section the following: 

6 ‘‘SEC. 441. REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN. 

7 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall reduce the 

8 burden of administering this part imposed on the recipi9 ents of funds under this part, by— 

10 ‘‘(1) reviewing and revising administrative data 

11 collection instruments and forms to eliminate dupli12 cation and streamline reporting requirements for the 

13 recipients while collecting all data required under 

14 this part; 

15 ‘‘(2) in coordination with activities required 

16 under the Paperwork Reduction Act, conducting an 

17 analysis of the total number of hours reported by 

18 the recipients to comply with paperwork require19 ments and exploring, in consultation with the recipi20 ents, how to reduce the number of hours required 

21 for the compliance by at least 15 percent; 

22 ‘‘(3) collecting input from the recipients with 

23 respect to fiscal and oversight requirements and 

24 making changes to ensure consistency with stand-
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1 ards and guidelines for other Federal formula grant 

2 programs based on the input; and 

3 ‘‘(4) respecting the sovereignty of Indian tribes 

4 when complying with this subsection. 

5 ‘‘(b) LIMITATION ON APPLICABILITY.—Subsection 

6 (a) of this section shall not apply to any reporting or data 

7 collection otherwise required by law that would affect the 

8 ability of the Secretary to monitor and ensure compliance 

9 with State plans approved under this part or ensure that 

10 funds are expended consistent with this part. 

11 ‘‘SEC. 442. PUBLIC ACCESS TO STATE PLANS. 

12 ‘‘The Secretary shall— 

13 ‘‘(1) create a standardized format for State 

14 plans required under sections 422 and 432 used to 

15 monitor compliance with those sections; 

16 ‘‘(2) produce comparisons and analyses of 

17 trends in State plans to inform future technical as18 sistance and policy development; 

19 ‘‘(3) make the State plans available on a public 

20 website; and 

21 ‘‘(4) include on the website aggregated national 

22 summaries of State submissions as the Secretary 

23 deems appropriate.’’. 
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1 (2) IMPLEMENTATION.—Within 2 years after 

2 the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

3 of Health and Human Services shall— 

4 (A) comply with section 441 of the Social 

5 Security Act, as added by the amendment made 

6 by paragraph (1); and 

7 (B) notify each recipient of funds under 

8 part B of title IV of the Social Security Act of 

9 any change made by the Secretary pursuant to 

10 such section affecting the recipient. 

11 (3) REPORT.—Within 3 years after the date of 

12 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health 

13 and Human Services shall submit to the Committee 

14 on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives 

15 and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a re16 port describing the efforts of the Secretary to com17 ply with section 441 of the Social Security Act, as 

18 added by the amendment made by paragraph (1), in19 cluding the specific actions to comply with each 

20 paragraph of such section. 

21 (g) PRIMARY PREVENTION PARTNERS.—Section 

22 435(a)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 429e(a)(2)(B)) is amended by in23 serting ‘‘including community-based partners with exper24 tise in preventing unnecessary child welfare system in25 volvement’’ before the semicolon. 
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1 SEC. 107. STREAMLINING FUNDING FOR INDIAN TRIBES. 

2 (a) SUBPART 1.— 

3 (1) TRIBAL SET-ASIDE; DIRECT PAYMENTS TO

4 TRIBES; EXEMPTIVE AUTHORITY.— 

5 (A) IN GENERAL.—Section 428 (42 U.S.C. 

6 628) is amended by striking subsections (a) and 

7 (b) and inserting the following: 

8 ‘‘(a) RESERVATION OF FUNDS; DIRECT PAY9 MENTS.—Out of any amount appropriated pursuant to 

10 section 425 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 

11 3 percent for grants to Indian tribes and tribal organiza12 tions, which shall be paid directly to Indian tribes and 

13 tribal organizations with a plan approved under this sub14 part, in accordance with section 433(a).’’. 

15 (B) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 

16 423(a) (42 U.S.C. 623(a)) is amended by strik17 ing ‘‘the sum appropriated pursuant to section 

18 425 for each fiscal year’’ and inserting ‘‘for 

19 each fiscal year, the sum appropriated pursuant 

20 to section 425 remaining after applying section 

21 428(a)’’. 

22 (C) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 

23 428(c) (42 U.S.C. 628(c)) is amended by strik24 ing ‘‘450b’’ and inserting ‘‘5304’’. 

25 (2) IMPROVING COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDIAN

26 CHILD WELFARE ACT.— 
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1 (A) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Section 

2 422(b)(9) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(9)) is amended by 

3 striking ‘‘Act;’’ and inserting ‘‘Act of 1978, in4 cluding how the State will ensure timely notice 

5 to Indian tribes of State custody proceedings 

6 involving Indian children, foster care or adop7 tive placements of Indian children, and case 

8 recordkeeping as such matters relate to trans9 fers of jurisdiction, termination of parental 

10 rights, and active efforts;’’. 

11 (B) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Subpart 1 

12 of part B of title IV (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) is 

13 amended by adding at the end the following: 

14 ‘‘SEC. 429B. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INDIAN 

15 CHILD WELFARE ACT OF 1978. 

16 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than October 1, 2025, 

17 the Secretary, in consultation with Indian tribal organiza18 tions and States, shall develop a plan and provide tech19 nical assistance supporting effective implementation of the 

20 Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, including specific meas21 ures identified in State plans as required by section 

22 422(b)(9) of this Act. The technical assistance plan shall 

23 be based on data sufficient to assess State strengths and 

24 areas for improvement in implementing Federal standards 
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1 established under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 

2 including, at a minimum, the following: 

3 ‘‘(1) Timely identification of Indian children 

4 and extended family members. 

5 ‘‘(2) Timely tribal notice of State child custody 

6 proceedings involving an Indian child. 

7 ‘‘(3) Reports of cases in which a transfer of ju8 risdiction (as defined under the Indian Child Wel9 fare Act of 1978) was granted or was not granted, 

10 and reasons specified for denial in cases where 

11 transfer was denied. 

12 ‘‘(4) In cases in which a State court orders a 

13 foster care placement of an Indian child, whether re14 quirements for active efforts to prevent the breakup 

15 of the Indian family, testimony of a qualified expert 

16 witness, and evidentiary standards were met. 

17 ‘‘(5) Whether an Indian child was placed in a 

18 placement that is required to be preferred under the 

19 Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, and if not, the 

20 reasons specified. 

21 ‘‘(6) In cases in which a State court orders the 

22 termination of parental rights to an Indian child, 

23 whether requirements for active efforts to prevent 

24 the breakup of the Indian family, testimony of a 
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1 qualified expert witness, and evidentiary standards 

2 were met. 

3 ‘‘(b) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—On request of 

4 the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior shall provide 

5 the Secretary with such guidance and assistance as may 

6 be necessary to facilitate informing States and public child 

7 welfare agencies on how to comply with the Indian Child 

8 Welfare Act of 1978, including specific measures identi9 fied in State plans as required by section 422(b)(9) of this 

10 Act. 

11 ‘‘(c) BIENNIAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Sec12 retary shall biennially submit to the Committee on Ways 

13 and Means of the House of Representatives and the Com14 mittee on Finance of the Senate a written report on how— 

15 ‘‘(1) the States are complying with the Indian 

16 Child Welfare Act of 1978 and section 422(b)(9) of 

17 this Act, as informed by data collected under this 

18 section; and 

19 ‘‘(2) the Secretary is assisting States and In20 dian tribes to improve implementation of Federal 

21 standards established under the Indian Child Wel22 fare Act of 1978.’’. 

23 (3) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; ADMINISTRA24 TIVE COSTS.— 
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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—Section 428 (42 U.S.C. 

2 628) is amended by redesignating subsection (c) 

3 as subsection (d) and inserting before such sub4 section the following: 

5 ‘‘(b) AUTHORITY TO STREAMLINE REPORTING RE6 QUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall, in consultation with 

7 the affected Indian tribes, modify any reporting require8 ment imposed by or under this part on an Indian tribe, 

9 tribal organization, or tribal consortium if the total of the 

10 amounts allotted to the Indian tribe, tribal organization, 

11 or tribal consortium under this part for the fiscal year is 

12 not more than $50,000, and in a manner that limits the 

13 administrative burden on any tribe to which not more than 

14 $50,000 is allotted under this subpart for the fiscal year. 

15 ‘‘(c) TRIBAL AUTHORITY TO SUBSTITUTE THE FED16 ERAL NEGOTIATED INDIRECT COST RATE FOR ADMINIS17 TRATIVE COSTS CAP.—For purposes of sections 

18 422(b)(14) and 424(e), an Indian tribal organization may 

19 elect to have the weighted average of the indirect cost 

20 rates in effect under part 220 of title 2, Code of Federal 

21 Regulations with respect to the administrative costs of the 

22 Indian tribal organization apply in lieu of the percentage 

23 specified in each such section.’’. 

24 (B) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 

25 431(a) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)) is amended in each 
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1 of paragraphs (5) and (6) by striking ‘‘428(c)’’ 

2 and inserting ‘‘428(d)’’. 

3 (b) SUBPART 2.— 

4 (1) TRIBAL PLAN EXEMPTION.—Section 

5 432(b)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 629b(b)(2)(B)) is amend6 ed— 

7 (A) by striking ‘‘section 433(a)’’ the 1st 

8 place it appears and inserting ‘‘sections 433(a) 

9 and 437(c)(1) combined’’; and 

10 (B) by striking ‘‘section 433(a)’’ the 2nd 

11 place it appears and inserting ‘‘such sections’’. 

12 (2) APPLICATION OF TRIBAL SET-ASIDE BE13 FORE OTHER SET-ASIDES.—Section 436(b)(3) (42 

14 U.S.C. 429f(b)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘After 

15 applying paragraphs (4) and (5) (but before apply16 ing paragraphs (1) or (2)), the’’ and inserting 

17 ‘‘The’’. 

18 (3) INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR TRIBAL COURT

19 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.—Section 438(c)(3) (42 

20 U.S.C. 629h(c)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘for fis21 cal year 2025, and $2,000,000 for each of fiscal 

22 years 2026 through 2029,’’ before ‘‘for grants’’. 
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1 SEC. 108. ACCELERATING ACCESS TO FAMILY FIRST PRE2 VENTION SERVICES. 

3 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 435 (42 U.S.C. 629e) is 

4 amended by adding at the end the following: 

5 ‘‘(f) PREVENTION SERVICES EVALUATION PARTNER6 SHIPS.— 

7 ‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this subsection 

8 is to authorize the Secretary to make competitive 

9 grants to support the timely evaluation of— 

10 ‘‘(A) services and programs described in 

11 section 471(e); or 

12 ‘‘(B) kinship navigator programs described 

13 in section 474(a)(7). 

14 ‘‘(2) GRANTS.—In accordance with applications 

15 approved under this subsection, the Secretary may 

16 make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible enti17 ties to carry out projects designed to evaluate a serv18 ice or program provided by the eligible entity, or an 

19 entity in partnership with the eligible entity, with re20 spect to the requirements for a promising practice, 

21 supported practice, or well-supported practice de22 scribed in section 471(e)(4)(C). 

23 ‘‘(3) APPLICATIONS.— 

24 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity may 

25 apply to the Secretary for a grant under this 
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1 subsection to carry out a project that meets the 

2 following requirements: 

3 ‘‘(i) The project is designed in accord4 ance with paragraph (2). 

5 ‘‘(ii) The project is to be carried out 

6 by the applicant in partnership with— 

7 ‘‘(I) a State agency that admin8 isters, or supervises the administra9 tion of, the State plan approved under 

10 part E, or an agency administering 

11 the plan under the supervision of the 

12 State agency; and 

13 ‘‘(II) if the applicant is unable or 

14 unwilling to do so, at least 1 external 

15 evaluator to carry out the evaluation 

16 of the service or program provided by 

17 the applicant. 

18 ‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—The application shall 

19 contain the following: 

20 ‘‘(i) A description of the project, in21 cluding— 

22 ‘‘(I) a statement explaining why 

23 a grant is necessary to carry out the 

24 project; and 
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1 ‘‘(II) the amount of grant funds 

2 that would be disbursed to each entity 

3 described in subparagraph (A)(ii) in 

4 partnership with the applicant. 

5 ‘‘(ii) A certification from each entity 

6 described in subparagraph (A)(ii) that pro7 vides assurances that the individual or en8 tity is in partnership with the applicant 

9 and will fulfill the responsibilities of the 

10 entity specified in the description provided 

11 pursuant to clause (i) of this subpara12 graph. 

13 ‘‘(iii) A certification from the appli14 cant that provides assurances that the ap15 plicant intends to comply with subpara16 graph (A)(ii)(II), if applicable. 

17 ‘‘(iv) At the option of the eligible enti18 ty, a certification from the applicant that 

19 the applicant requires an external eval20 uator secured by the Secretary pursuant to 

21 paragraph (5), if applicable. 

22 ‘‘(4) PRIORITIES.—In approving applications 

23 under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize 

24 the following: 
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1 ‘‘(A) Addressing, with respect to the clear2 inghouse of practices described in section 

3 476(d)(2), deficiencies or gaps identified by the 

4 Secretary in consultation with— 

5 ‘‘(i) States, political subdivisions of a 

6 State, and tribal communities carrying out, 

7 or receiving the benefits of, a service or 

8 program; and 

9 ‘‘(ii) child welfare experts, including 

10 individuals with lived experience. 

11 ‘‘(B) Maximizing the number of evidence12 based services or programs to be included in the 

13 clearinghouse of practices described in section 

14 476(d)(2). 

15 ‘‘(C) Timely completion of evaluations and 

16 the production of evidence. 

17 ‘‘(D) Supporting services or programs that 

18 are based on, or are adaptations to new popu19 lation settings of, a service or program with re20 liable evidence about the benefits and risks of 

21 the service or program. 

22 ‘‘(5) AVAILABILITY OF EXTERNAL EVAL23 UATORS.— 

24 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Before accepting ap25 plications under this subsection, the Secretary 
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1 shall make reasonable efforts to identify at least 

2 1 entity to serve as an external evaluator for 

3 any eligible entity that includes a certification 

4 under paragraph (3)(B)(iv) with an application 

5 under this subsection. 

6 ‘‘(B) NO EFFECT ON CONSIDERATION OF

7 APPLICATION.—The Secretary may not consider 

8 whether an eligible entity is in partnership with 

9 an external evaluator described in paragraph 

10 (A) in approving an application under this sub11 section submitted by the eligible entity. 

12 ‘‘(6) REPORTS.— 

13 ‘‘(A) BY GRANT RECIPIENTS.—Within 1 

14 year after receiving a grant under this sub15 section, and every year thereafter for the next 

16 5 years, the grant recipient shall submit to the 

17 Secretary a written report on— 

18 ‘‘(i) the use of grant funds; 

19 ‘‘(ii) whether the program or service 

20 evaluated by the project meets a require21 ment specified in section 471(e)(4)(C), in22 cluding information about— 

23 ‘‘(I) how the program or service 

24 is being carried out in accordance 
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1 with standards specified in the re2 quirement; 

3 ‘‘(II) any outcomes of the pro4 gram or service; and 

5 ‘‘(III) any outcome with respect 

6 to which the service or program com7 pares favorably to a comparison prac8 tice; and 

9 ‘‘(iii) whether the Secretary has in10 cluded the program or service in an update 

11 to the clearinghouse of practices described 

12 in section 476(d)(2). 

13 ‘‘(B) BY THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary 

14 shall submit to the Committee on Ways and 

15 Means of the House of Representatives and to 

16 the Committee on Finance of the Senate an an17 nual written report on— 

18 ‘‘(i) the grants awarded under this 

19 subsection; 

20 ‘‘(ii) the programs funded by the 

21 grants; 

22 ‘‘(iii) any technical assistance pro23 vided by the Secretary in carrying out this 

24 subsection, including with respect to the 
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1 efforts to secure external evaluators pursu2 ant to paragraph (5); and 

3 ‘‘(iv) any efforts by the Secretary to 

4 support program evaluation and review 

5 pursuant to section 471(e) and inclusion of 

6 programs in the pre-approved list of serv7 ices and programs described in section 

8 471(e)(4)(D) or the clearinghouse of prac9 tices described in section 476(d)(2). 

10 ‘‘(7) FUNDING.— 

11 ‘‘(A) LIMITATIONS.—Of the amounts avail12 able to carry out this subsection, the Secretary 

13 may use not more than 5 percent to provide 

14 technical assistance. 

15 ‘‘(B) CARRYOVER.—Amounts made avail16 able to carry out this subsection shall remain 

17 available until expended. 

18 ‘‘(8) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 

19 ‘‘(A) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligi20 ble entity’ means any of the following providing 

21 a service or program or, in the sole determina22 tion of the Secretary, able to provide a service 

23 or program if awarded a grant under this sub24 section: 
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1 ‘‘(i) A State, a political subdivision of 

2 a State, or an agency or department of a 

3 State or political subdivision of a State. 

4 ‘‘(ii) An entity described in subpara5 graph (A) or (B) of section 426(a)(1). 

6 ‘‘(iii) An Indian tribe or tribal organi7 zation. 

8 ‘‘(B) EXTERNAL EVALUATOR.—The term 

9 ‘external evaluator’ means an entity with the 

10 ability and willingness to evaluate a service or 

11 program pursuant to paragraph (2) that is not 

12 provided by the entity. 

13 ‘‘(C) SERVICE OR PROGRAM.—The term 

14 ‘service or program’— 

15 ‘‘(i) means a service or program de16 scribed in section 471(e); and 

17 ‘‘(ii) includes a kinship navigator pro18 gram described in section 474(a)(7).’’. 

19 (b) FUNDING.—Section 437(b) (42 U.S.C. 629g(b)) 

20 is amended by adding at the end the following: 

21 ‘‘(5) PREVENTIVE SERVICES EVALUATION

22 PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretary shall reserve 

23 $5,000,000 for grants under section 435(f) for each 

24 of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.’’. 
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1 SEC. 109. STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR YOUTH AGING 

2 OUT OF FOSTER CARE. 

3 (a) CASEWORKER VISITS.—Section 422(b)(17) (42 

4 U.S.C. 622(b)(17)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and include 

5 a description of how the State may offer virtual case6 worker visits to youth in care who have attained the age 

7 of 18 years and provided informed consent for virtual vis8 its’’ before the semicolon. 

9 (b) YOUTH AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN CHILD

10 WELFARE PROGRAM PLANNING.—Section 432(b)(1) (42 

11 U.S.C. 629b(b)(1)) is amended to read as follows: 

12 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ap13 prove a plan that meets the requirements of sub14 section (a) only if— 

15 ‘‘(A) the plan was developed jointly by the 

16 Secretary and the State, and the State, in de17 veloping the plan, consulted with— 

18 ‘‘(i) appropriate public and nonprofit 

19 private agencies; 

20 ‘‘(ii) community-based organizations 

21 involved in providing services for children 

22 and families in the areas of family preser23 vation, family support, family reunifica24 tion, foster care, kinship, and adoption 

25 promotion and support; 
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1 ‘‘(iii) parents with child welfare expe2 rience, foster parents, adoptive parents, 

3 and kinship caregivers; and 

4 ‘‘(iv) children, youth, and young 

5 adults with experience in the child welfare 

6 system, including State boards and coun7 cils comprised of youth with lived experi8 ence who represent the diversity of chil9 dren in the State to whom the plan would 

10 apply; and 

11 ‘‘(B) the State has made publicly acces12 sible on a website of the State agency a report 

13 that outlines how the State has implemented 

14 the suggestions of the children and youth re15 ferred to in subparagraph (A)(iv).’’. 

16 SEC. 110. RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIVE 

17 AND KINSHIP CAREGIVERS. 

18 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 431(a) (42 U.S.C. 

19 629a(a)), as amended by section 106(b)(2) of this Act, 

20 is amended— 

21 (1) in paragraph (1)— 

22 (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 

23 (A)— 

24 (i) by striking ‘‘children’’ and insert25 ing ‘‘children, youth,’’; and 
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1 (ii) by striking ‘‘adoptive and ex2 tended’’ and inserting ‘‘kinship and adop3 tive’’; 

4 (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘par5 ents and other caregivers (including foster par6 ents)’’ and inserting ‘‘parents, kinship care7 givers, and foster parents’’; 

8 (C) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub9 paragraph (E); 

10 (D) by striking the period at the end of 

11 subparagraph (F) and inserting ‘‘ ; and’’; and 

12 (E) by adding at the end the following: 

13 ‘‘(G)(i) peer-to-peer mentoring and support 

14 programs with demonstrated experience fos15 tering constructive relationships between chil16 dren and families and mentors with relevant 

17 lived experience or interactions with the child 

18 welfare system; and 

19 ‘‘(ii) for purposes of this subpart, an ex20 penditure for a service described in clause (i) 

21 may be treated as an expenditure for any 1 or 

22 more of family support services, family preser23 vation services, family reunification services, or 

24 adoption promotion and support services, as 

25 long as the expenditure is related to serving the 
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1 children and families in the specified category 

2 and consistent with the overall purpose of the 

3 category.’’; 

4 (2) in paragraph (2)(B)— 

5 (A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘children’’ 

6 and inserting ‘‘children, youth,’’; and 

7 (B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘extended’’ 

8 and inserting ‘‘kinship’’; 

9 (3) in paragraph (7)(A), by inserting ‘‘with kin10 ship caregivers or’’ before ‘‘in a foster family home’’; 

11 and 

12 (4) by adding at the end the following: 

13 ‘‘(11) YOUTH.—The term ‘youth’ means an in14 dividual who has not attained 26 years of age.’’. 

15 (b) KINSHIP NAVIGATORS.— 

16 (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 427 (42 U.S.C. 627) 

17 is amended— 

18 (A) in the section heading, by striking 

19 ‘‘FAMILY CONNECTION GRANTS’’ and insert20 ing ‘‘KINSHIP NAVIGATORS’’; 

21 (B) in subsection (a)— 

22 (i) in the matter preceding paragraph 

23 (1), by striking ‘‘helping’’ and inserting 

24 ‘‘administering programs to help’’; 
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1 (ii) by striking ‘‘of—’’ and all that 

2 follows through ‘‘a kinship’’ and inserting 

3 ‘‘of a kinship’’; 

4 (iii) in paragraph (1)(C)— 

5 (I) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end 

6 of clause (iii); 

7 (II) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end 

8 of clause (iv); and 

9 (III) by adding at the end the 

10 following: 

11 ‘‘(v) connections to individualized as12 sistance, as needed;’’; 

13 (iv) by striking paragraphs (2) 

14 through (4); 

15 (v) by redesignating subparagraphs 

16 (A) through (G) of paragraph (1) as para17 graphs (1) through (7), respectively; 

18 (vi) by redesignating clauses (i) 

19 through (iv) and clause (v) (as added by 

20 clause (iii)(III) of this subparagraph) as 

21 subparagraphs (A) through (E), respec22 tively; 

23 (vii) by moving each provision so re24 designated 2 ems to the left; and 
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1 (viii) by striking ‘‘caregiving;’’ and in2 serting ‘‘caregiving.’’; 

3 (C) in subsection (b)— 

4 (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘1 or 

5 more of’’; 

6 (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (3) 

7 and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respec8 tively, and inserting after paragraph (2) 

9 the following: 

10 ‘‘(3) a description of how the entity will directly 

11 fund, or provide data to the Secretary for, an eval12 uation which will publish and submit information to 

13 the clearinghouse described in section 476(d)(2) and 

14 which is designed to meet the requirements of sec15 tion 471(e)(4)(C), or a description of how the funds 

16 will be used to help the State transition to a pro17 gram for which the State will seek reimbursement 

18 under section 474(a)(7);’’; 

19 (iii) in paragraph (4) (as so redesig20 nated), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

21 (iv) in paragraph (5) (as so redesig22 nated), by striking the period and inserting 

23 ‘‘; and’’; and 

24 (v) by adding at the end the following: 
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1 ‘‘(6) if the entity is a State, local or tribal child 

2 welfare agency— 

3 ‘‘(A) documentation of support from a rel4 evant community-based organization with expe5 rience serving kinship families when applicable; 

6 or 

7 ‘‘(B) a description of how the organization 

8 plans to coordinate its services and activities 

9 with those offered by the relevant community10 based organizations.’’; 

11 (D) by striking subsection (d) and insert12 ing the following: 

13 ‘‘(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—An entity to which a grant 

14 is made under this section may use the grant to pay not 

15 more than 75 percent of the cost of the activities to be 

16 carried out by the entity pursuant to this section.’’; 

17 (E) in subsection (g)— 

18 (i) by striking all that precedes ‘‘2 

19 percent’’ and inserting the following: 

20 ‘‘(g) RESERVATION OF FUNDS FOR TECHNICAL AS21 SISTANCE.—The Secretary may reserve’’; and 

22 (ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (h)’’ the 

23 2nd place it appears and inserting ‘‘section 

24 437(b)(6)’’; and 

25 (F) by striking subsection (h). 
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1 (2) RESERVATION OF DISCRETIONARY

2 FUNDS.—Section 437(b) (42 U.S.C. 629g(b)), as 

3 amended by section 108(b) of this Act, is amended 

4 by adding at the end the following: 

5 ‘‘(6) KINSHIP NAVIGATORS.—The Secretary 

6 shall reserve $10,000,000 for grants under section 

7 427 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.’’. 

8 (3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 

9 474(a)(7) (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(7)) is amended by 

10 striking ‘‘427(a)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘427(a)’’. 

11 SEC. 111. AVOIDING NEGLECT BY ADDRESSING POVERTY. 

12 (a) FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES.—Section 

13 431(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)(1)), as amended by section 

14 110(a)(1) of this Act, is amended— 

15 (1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘and’’ 

16 after the semicolon; 

17 (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period 

18 and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

19 (3) by adding at the end the following: 

20 ‘‘(H)(i) services providing nonrecurring 

21 short term benefits (including supports related 

22 to housing instability, utilities, transportation, 

23 and food assistance, among other basic needs) 

24 that address immediate needs related to a spe25 cific crisis, situation, or event affecting the abil-
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1 ity of a child to remain in a home established 

2 for the child that is not intended to meet an on3 going need; and 

4 ‘‘(ii) for purposes of this subpart, an ex5 penditure for a service described in clause (i) 

6 may be treated as an expenditure for any 1 or 

7 more of family support services, family preser8 vation services, family reunification services, or 

9 adoption promotion and support services as 

10 long as the expenditure is related to serving the 

11 children and families in the specified category 

12 and consistent with the overall purpose of the 

13 category.’’. 

14 (b) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—Section 432(a) 

15 (42 U.S.C. 629b(a)) is amended— 

16 (1) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 

17 the semicolon; 

18 (2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period 

19 and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

20 (3) by adding at the end the following: 

21 ‘‘(11) provides a description of policies in place, 

22 including training for employees, to address child 

23 welfare reports and investigations of neglect con24 cerning the living arrangements or subsistence needs 

25 of a child with the goal to prevent the separation of 
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1 a child from a parent of the child solely due to pov2 erty, to ensure access to services described in section 

3 431(a)(1)(H).’’. 

4 SEC. 112. STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR CASEWORKERS. 

5 (a) REAUTHORIZATION OF, AND INCREASE IN FUND6 ING FOR, CASEWORKER VISITS.—Section 436(b)(4)(A) 

7 (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘each 

8 of fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal 

9 year 2025 and $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each 

10 succeeding fiscal year’’. 

11 (b) MINIMUM GRANT AMOUNT.—Section 433(e) (42 

12 U.S.C. 629c(e)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) 

13 and (2) and inserting the following: 

14 ‘‘(1) BASE ALLOTMENT.—From the amount re15 served pursuant to section 436(b)(4)(A) for any fis16 cal year, the Secretary shall first allot to each State 

17 (other than an Indian tribe) that has provided to the 

18 Secretary such documentation as may be necessary 

19 to verify that the jurisdiction has complied with sec20 tion 436(b)(4)(B)(ii) during the fiscal year, a base 

21 allotment of $100,000, and shall then allot to each 

22 of those States an amount determined in paragraph 

23 (2) or (3) of this subsection, as applicable. 

24 ‘‘(2) TERRITORIES.—From the amount reserved 

25 pursuant to section 436(b)(4)(A) for any fiscal year 
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1 that remains after applying paragraph (1) of this 

2 subsection for the fiscal year, the Secretary shall 

3 allot to each jurisdiction specified in subsection (b) 

4 of this section to which a base allotment is made 

5 under such paragraph (1) an amount determined in 

6 the same manner as the allotment to each of such 

7 jurisdictions is determined under section 423 (with8 out regard to the initial allotment of $70,000 to 

9 each State). 

10 ‘‘(3) OTHER STATES.—From the amount re11 served pursuant to section 436(b)(4)(A) for any fis12 cal year that remains after applying paragraphs (1) 

13 and (2) of this subsection for the fiscal year, the 

14 Secretary shall allot to each State (other than an In15 dian tribe) not specified in subsection (b) of this sec16 tion to which a base allotment was made under 

17 paragraph (1) of this subsection an amount equal to 

18 such remaining amount multiplied by the supple19 mental nutrition assistance program benefits per20 centage of the State (as defined in subsection (c)(2) 

21 of this section) for the fiscal year, except that in ap22 plying subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section, ‘sub23 section (e)(3)’ shall be substituted for ‘such para24 graph (1)’.’’. 
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1 (c) REQUIREMENT TO USE FUNDS TO IMPROVE

2 QUALITY OF CASEWORKER VISITS WITH FOSTER CHIL3 DREN.—Section 436(b)(4)(B)(i) (42 U.S.C. 

4 629f(b)(4)(B)(i)) is amended to read as follows: 

5 ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A State to which 

6 an amount is paid from amounts reserved 

7 under subparagraph (A) shall use the 

8 amount to improve the quality of monthly 

9 caseworker visits with children who are in 

10 foster care under the responsibility of the 

11 State, with an emphasis on— 

12 ‘‘(I) reducing caseload ratios and 

13 the administrative burden on case14 workers, to improve caseworker deci15 sion making on the safety, perma16 nency, and well-being of foster chil17 dren and on activities designed to in18 crease retention, recruitment, and 

19 training of caseworkers; 

20 ‘‘(II) implementing technology 

21 solutions to streamline caseworker du22 ties and modernize systems, ensuring 

23 improved efficiency and effectiveness 

24 in child welfare services; 
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1 ‘‘(III) improving caseworker safe2 ty; 

3 ‘‘(IV) mental health resources to 

4 support caseworker well-being, includ5 ing peer-to-peer support programs; 

6 and 

7 ‘‘(V) recruitment campaigns 

8 aimed at attracting qualified case9 worker candidates.’’. 

10 (d) ELIMINATION OF COST-SHARE PENALTY TIED TO

11 MONTHLY CASEWORKER VISIT STANDARD.—Section 

12 424(f) (42 U.S.C. 624(f)) is amended— 

13 (1) by striking ‘‘(1)(A)’’; and 

14 (2) by striking paragraphs (1)(B) and (2). 

15 SEC. 113. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS FOR IMPROVING RE16 LATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INCARCERATED 

17 PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE. 

18 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 439 (42 U.S.C. 629i) is 

19 amended to read as follows: 

20 ‘‘SEC. 439. STATE PARTNERSHIP PLANNING AND DEM21 ONSTRATION GRANTS TO SUPPORT MEAN22 INGFUL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FOSTER 

23 CHILDREN AND THE INCARCERATED PAR24 ENTS OF THE CHILDREN. 

25 ‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.— 
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1 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make 

2 demonstration grants to eligible State partnerships 

3 to develop, implement, and provide support for pro4 grams that enable and sustain meaningful relation5 ships between covered foster children and the incar6 cerated parents of the children. 

7 ‘‘(2) PAYMENT OF ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS.— 

8 The Secretary shall pay each demonstration grant in 

9 5 annual installments. 

10 ‘‘(3) 1-YEAR PLANNING GRANTS.—The Sec11 retary may make a planning grant to a recipient of 

12 a demonstration grant, to be paid to the recipient 1 

13 year before payment of the 1st annual installment of 

14 the demonstration grant and in an amount not 

15 greater than any installment of the demonstration 

16 grant, if— 

17 ‘‘(A) the recipient includes a request for a 

18 planning grant in the application under sub19 section (c); and 

20 ‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that a plan21 ning grant would assist the recipient and im22 prove the effectiveness of the demonstration 

23 grant. 

24 ‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE STATE PARTNERSHIP DEFINED.— 
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1 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term 

2 ‘eligible State partnership’ means an agreement en3 tered into by, at a minimum, the following: 

4 ‘‘(A) The State child welfare agency re5 sponsible for the administration of the State 

6 plans under this part. 

7 ‘‘(B) The State agency responsible for 

8 adult corrections. 

9 ‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL PARTNERS.—For purposes of 

10 this section, an eligible State partnership may in11 clude any entity with experience in serving incarcer12 ated parents and their children. 

13 ‘‘(3) PARTNERSHIPS ENTERED INTO BY INDIAN

14 TRIBES OR TRIBAL CONSORTIA.—Notwithstanding 

15 paragraph (1), if an Indian tribe or tribal consor16 tium enters into a partnership pursuant to this sec17 tion that does not consist solely of tribal child wel18 fare agencies (or a consortium of the agencies), the 

19 partnership shall be considered an eligible State 

20 partnership for purposes of this section. 

21 ‘‘(c) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—An eligible 

22 State partnership seeking a demonstration grant under 

23 this section to carry out a program described in subsection 

24 (a)(1) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 

25 time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
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1 the Secretary may require. The application shall include 

2 the following: 

3 ‘‘(1) A summary of the program, including how 

4 the program will support a meaningful relationship 

5 between a covered foster child and an incarcerated 

6 parent of the child. 

7 ‘‘(2) A description of the activities to be carried 

8 out by the program, which must include all of the 

9 activities described in subsection (d) that are in the 

10 best interest of the covered foster child. 

11 ‘‘(3) A framework for identifying— 

12 ‘‘(A) each covered foster child eligible for 

13 services under the program, including, to the 

14 extent practicable, coordination of data between 

15 relevant State child welfare agencies and court 

16 systems; and 

17 ‘‘(B) the roles and responsibilities of the 

18 entities in the partnership. 

19 ‘‘(4) Documentation that the applicant is an eli20 gible State partnership. 

21 ‘‘(5) Assurances that the applicant will partici22 pate fully in the evaluation described in subsection 

23 (f)(2) and shall maintain records for the program, 

24 including demographic information disaggregated by 

25 relevant characteristics with respect to covered foster 
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1 children and incarcerated parents who participate in 

2 the program. 

3 ‘‘(d) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.—To the extent that the 

4 activities are in the best interest of the covered foster 

5 child, the activities referred to in subsection (c)(2) shall 

6 include the following: 

7 ‘‘(1) REVISION OF POLICIES.—Through con8 sultation with incarcerated parents and their fami9 lies, grantees shall promote organizational policies of 

10 participating child welfare entities and collaborating 

11 correctional facilities to promote meaningful rela12 tionships through regular and developmentally ap13 propriate communication and visitation between cov14 ered foster children and the incarcerated parents, in15 cluding, when appropriate, the following: 

16 ‘‘(A) For child welfare entities— 

17 ‘‘(i) inclusion of parents in case plan18 ning and decision making for children; 

19 ‘‘(ii) regular sharing of information 

20 and responses to requests for information 

21 between caseworkers and incarcerated par22 ents with respect to the case information 

23 of a child, any changes to a case, perma24 nency plans, requirements to maintain pa-
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1 rental rights, and any efforts to terminate 

2 parental rights; 

3 ‘‘(iii) appropriate opportunities for in4 carcerated parents to demonstrate their re5 lationship with a covered foster child given 

6 their incarceration, including training and 

7 courses required for a service plan; and 

8 ‘‘(iv) the enhanced visitation described 

9 in paragraph (2). 

10 ‘‘(B) For correctional facilities, fostering 

11 visitation and communication that is develop12 mentally appropriate in terms of— 

13 ‘‘(i) the nature of communication and 

14 visitation, including— 

15 ‘‘(I) the ability to physically 

16 touch parents; 

17 ‘‘(II) engaging with parents in lo18 cations that are appropriate for the 

19 age and development of the child; 

20 ‘‘(III) exchanging items that are 

21 appropriate to the age and develop22 ment of the child, include expectations 

23 that are appropriate for the age and 

24 development of the child related to be25 havior, attire, and wait times; and 
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1 ‘‘(IV) allowing appropriate adults 

2 to bring children if legal guardians 

3 are not available to promote regular 

4 contact; 

5 ‘‘(ii) reasonable inclusion of all chil6 dren of the parent; 

7 ‘‘(iii) communication and visitation at 

8 times when the children are available; 

9 ‘‘(iv) security procedures to comfort 

10 children and be minimally invasive; and 

11 ‘‘(v) promoting parent-child relation12 ships regardless of the sentence imposed 

13 on the parent. 

14 ‘‘(2) ENHANCED VISITATION.— 

15 ‘‘(A) Grantees shall facilitate weekly com16 munication and, for at least 9 days each year, 

17 in-person visitation between a covered foster 

18 child and any incarcerated parent of the child. 

19 ‘‘(B) Electronic visitation (such as live 

20 video visits, phone calls, and recorded books) 

21 may be used but shall not be the sole method 

22 to promote a meaningful relationship for pur23 poses of the grant. 

24 ‘‘(C) Enhanced visitation programs shall— 
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1 ‘‘(i) integrate best practices for visita2 tion programs with incarcerated parents 

3 and their children; 

4 ‘‘(ii) adopt developmentally appro5 priate visitation policies and procedures 

6 such as those described in paragraph 

7 (1)(B); 

8 ‘‘(iii) reduce or eliminate the cost of 

9 developmentally appropriate communica10 tion and visitation for the covered foster 

11 child, which may include the purchase of 

12 communication technology, covering trans13 portation, insurance, and lodging costs, 

14 costs related to providing appropriate visi15 tation spaces and activities, and other rel16 evant costs; 

17 ‘‘(iv) to the extent practicable, inte18 grate appropriate parenting education to 

19 help prepare and process visits; and 

20 ‘‘(v) avoid restricting visitation and 

21 communication as a punishment for the in22 carcerated parents. 

23 ‘‘(3) TRAINING.—Grantees shall incorporate on24 going training for child welfare workers, correctional 

25 facility staff, and other program providers to under-
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1 stand the importance of promoting meaningful rela2 tionships between children and incarcerated parents. 

3 ‘‘(4) CASE MANAGEMENT.—Grantees shall pro4 vide case management services for the incarcerated 

5 parents of a covered foster child to promote the rela6 tionship, access to services, and coordination with 

7 the caseworkers of the covered foster child to 

8 strengthen the relationship. 

9 ‘‘(5) LEGAL ASSISTANCE.—Grantees shall facili10 tate access to necessary legal services and may use 

11 grant funds for services that are not reimbursable 

12 under other Federal programs. 

13 ‘‘(e) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the 

14 cost of any activity carried out using a grant made under 

15 this section shall be not greater than 75 percent. 

16 ‘‘(f) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, EVALUATIONS, AND

17 REPORTS.— 

18 ‘‘(1) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 

19 shall provide technical assistance with respect to 

20 grants under this section, including by— 

21 ‘‘(A) assisting grantees in understanding 

22 best practices in promoting meaningful relation23 ships between incarcerated parents and their 

24 children as well as consulting with appropriate 

25 stakeholders when developing their programs; 
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1 ‘‘(B) assisting grantees with establishing 

2 and analyzing implementation and performance 

3 indicators; and 

4 ‘‘(C) conducting an annual technical assist5 ance and training meeting and an annual grant6 ee meeting so that grantees can learn from the 

7 experiences of other grantees. 

8 ‘‘(2) EVALUATIONS.—The Secretary shall con9 duct an evaluation of program outcomes, including 

10 with respect to parent and child well-being, parent11 child interactions, parental involvement, awareness 

12 of child development and parenting practices, place13 ment stability, and termination of parental rights 

14 with respect to covered foster children and incarcer15 ated parents, to measure program effectiveness, as 

16 determined by the Secretary, and identify opportuni17 ties for improved program practices and implemen18 tation. 

19 ‘‘(3) REPORTS TO THE CONGRESS.— 

20 ‘‘(A) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 3 

21 years after the date of the enactment of this 

22 section, the Secretary shall submit to the Com23 mittee on Ways and Means of the House of 

24 Representatives and the Committee on Finance 

25 of the Senate a report that includes— 
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1 ‘‘(i) the number of applications for 

2 grants under this section; 

3 ‘‘(ii) the number of grants awarded, 

4 and the amounts for each grant; and 

5 ‘‘(iii) information on the grants, in6 cluding— 

7 ‘‘(I) interim results of the evalua8 tion described in paragraph (2); 

9 ‘‘(II) disaggregated data on cov10 ered foster children and incarcerated 

11 parents; 

12 ‘‘(III) information on the com13 position of eligible State partnerships; 

14 ‘‘(IV) best practices for facili15 tating meaningful relationships be16 tween covered foster children and in17 carcerated parents; and 

18 ‘‘(V) barriers to implementation 

19 or expansion of programs funded 

20 under this section. 

21 ‘‘(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 6 

22 years after the date of the enactment of this 

23 section, the Secretary shall submit to the Com24 mittee on Ways and Means of the House of 
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1 Representatives and the Committee on Finance 

2 of the Senate a report that includes— 

3 ‘‘(i) the final results of the evaluation 

4 described in paragraph (2); and 

5 ‘‘(ii) recommendations for refinements 

6 to grant requirements to improve program 

7 outcomes. 

8 ‘‘(g) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY WITH RESPECT TO

9 INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.— 

10 ‘‘(1) WAIVER OR MODIFICATION OF REQUIRE11 MENTS.—In making a grant to an Indian tribe or 

12 tribal organization under this section, the Secretary 

13 may waive the matching requirement of subsection 

14 (e) or modify an application requirement imposed by 

15 or under subsection (c) if the Secretary determines 

16 that the waiver or modification is appropriate to the 

17 needs, culture, and circumstances of the Indian tribe 

18 or tribal organization. 

19 ‘‘(2) EVALUATION.—The Secretary shall use 

20 tribally relevant data in carrying out the evaluation 

21 under subsection (f)(2) with respect to an Indian 

22 tribe or tribal organization. 

23 ‘‘(h) LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORIZATION OF APPRO24 PRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
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1 Secretary not more than $35,000,000 for each of fiscal 

2 years 2026 through 2029 to carry out this section. 

3 ‘‘(i) DEFINITION OF COVERED FOSTER CHILD.—In 

4 this section, the term ‘covered foster child’ means a child 

5 that— 

6 ‘‘(1) is in foster care; and 

7 ‘‘(2) has at least 1 parent incarcerated in a 

8 Federal, State, or local correctional facility.’’. 

9 (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 

10 (1) Section 431(a)(2)(B)(vii) (42 U.S.C. 

11 629a(a)(2)(B)(vii)) is amended by striking ‘‘(as de12 fined in section 439(b)(2))’’. 

13 (2) Section 431(a) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)), as 

14 amended by sections 106(b)(2) and 110(a)(4) of this 

15 Act, is amended by adding at the end the following: 

16 ‘‘(12) MENTORING.—The term ‘mentoring’ 

17 means a structured, managed program in which chil18 dren are appropriately matched with screened and 

19 trained adult volunteers for one on-one relationships, 

20 involving meetings and activities on a regular basis, 

21 intended to meet, in part, the child’s need for in22 volvement with a caring and supportive adult who 

23 provides a positive role model.’’. 
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1 SEC. 114. GUIDANCE TO STATES ON IMPROVING DATA COL2 LECTION AND REPORTING FOR YOUTH IN 

3 RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS. 

4 Within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this 

5 Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in con6 sultation with the Department of Education, the Adminis7 tration for Children and Families, the Centers for Medi8 care and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Com9 munity Living, the Department of Justice, and other rel10 evant policy experts, as determined by the Secretary, shall 

11 issue and disseminate, or update and revise, as applicable, 

12 guidance to State agencies in administering State plans 

13 approved under parts B and E of title IV of the Social 

14 Security Act on the following: 

15 (1) Best practices for Federal and State agen16 cies to collect data and share information related to 

17 the well-being of youth residing in residential treat18 ment facilities, including those facilities operating in 

19 multiple States or serving out-of-state youth. 

20 (2) Best practices on improving State collection 

21 and sharing of data related to incidences of mal22 treatment of youth residing in residential treatment 

23 facilities, including with respect to meeting the re24 quirement of section 471(a)(9)(A) of such Act for 

25 such youth in foster care. 
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1 (3) Best practices on improving oversight of 

2 youth residential programs receiving Federal fund3 ing, and research-based strategies for risk assess4 ment related to the health, safety, and well-being of 

5 youth in the facilities. 

6 SEC. 115. STREAMLINING RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND 

7 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING. 

8 (a) REPURPOSING DISCRETIONARY RESEARCH SET9 ASIDE.—Section 435(c) (42 U.S.C. 629e(c)) is amended 

10 to read as follows: 

11 ‘‘(c) EVALUATION, RESEARCH, AND TECHNICAL AS12 SISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO TARGETED PROGRAM RE13 SOURCES.—Of the amount reserved under section 

14 437(b)(1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall use not less 

15 than— 

16 ‘‘(1) $1,000,000 for technical assistance to 

17 grantees under section 437(f) and to support design 

18 of local site evaluations with the goal of publishing 

19 and submitting evaluation findings to the clearing20 house established under section 476(d), or to award 

21 grants to allow current or former grantees under 

22 section 437(f) to analyze, publish, and submit to the 

23 clearinghouse data collected during past grants; and 

24 ‘‘(2) $1,000,000 for technical assistance re25 quired under section 429B of this Act to support ef-
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1 fective implementation of the Indian Child Welfare 

2 Act of 1978 and to support development of associ3 ated State plan measures described pursuant to sec4 tion 422(b)(9) of this Act.’’. 

5 (b) ELIMINATION OF RESEARCH SET-ASIDE FROM

6 MANDATORY FUNDS.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 436(b) (42 U.S.C. 

8 629f(b)), as amended by the preceding provisions of 

9 this Act, is amended by striking paragraph (1) and 

10 redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as para11 graphs (1) through (4), respectively. 

12 (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 

13 (A) Section 433(a) (42 U.S.C. 629c(a)) is 

14 amended by striking ‘‘436(b)(3)’’ and inserting 

15 ‘‘436(b)(2)’’. 

16 (B) Section 433(e) (42 U.S.C. 629c(e)), as 

17 amended by section 112(b) of this Act, is 

18 amended by striking ‘‘436(b)(4)(A)’’ and insert19 ing ‘‘436(b)(3)(A)’’ each place it appears. 

20 (C) Section 434(a)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 

21 629d(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking 

22 ‘‘436(b)(4)(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘436(b)(3)(B)’’. 

23 (D) Section 437(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 

24 629g(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘436(b)(1)’’ 

25 and inserting ‘‘435’’. 
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1 (E) Section 437(f)(3) (42 U.S.C. 

2 629g(f)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘436(b)(5)’’ 

3 and inserting ‘‘436(b)(4)’’. 

4 (F) Section 438(c) (42 U.S.C. 629g(c)) is 

5 amended in each of paragraphs (1) through (3) 

6 is amended by striking ‘‘436(b)(2)’’ and insert7 ing ‘‘436(b)(1)’’. 

8 SEC. 116. REPORT ON POST ADOPTION AND SUBSIDIZED 

9 GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES. 

10 (a) IN GENERAL.—Within 2 years after the date of 

11 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and 

12 Human Services shall prepare and submit to the Com13 mittee on Ways and Means of the House of Representa14 tives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report 

15 on children who enter into foster care under the super16 vision of a State administering a plan approved under part 

17 B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act after finaliza18 tion of an adoption or legal guardianship. 

19 (b) INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall include in 

20 the report information, to the extent available through the 

21 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System 

22 and other data sources, regarding the incidence of adop23 tion disruption and dissolution affecting children described 

24 in subsection (a) and factors associated with such cir25 cumstances, including— 
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1 (1) whether affected individuals received pre- or 

2 post-legal adoption services; and 

3 (2) other relevant information, such as the age 

4 of the child involved. 

5 (c) POST-ADOPTION SERVICES AND GUARDIAN6 SHIP.—The Secretary shall include in the report— 

7 (1) a summary of post-adoption services and 

8 guardianship in each State that are available to fam9 ilies that adopted children from foster care and the 

10 extent to which the services are evidence-based or 

11 evidence-informed. 

12 (2) a summary of funding and funding sources 

13 for the services in each State, including set-asides 

14 under the Promoting Safe and Stable Families pro15 gram. 

16 SEC. 117. EFFECTIVE DATE. 

17 (a) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this 

18 title shall take effect on October 1, 2025, and shall apply 

19 to payments under part B of title IV of the Social Security 

20 Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date. 

21 (b) DELAY PERMITTED IF STATE LEGISLATION RE22 QUIRED.—If the Secretary of Health and Human Services 

23 determines that State legislation (other than legislation 

24 appropriating funds) is required in order for a State plan 

25 developed pursuant to part B of title IV of the Social Se-
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1 curity Act to meet the additional requirements imposed 

2 by the amendments made by this title, the plan shall not 

3 be regarded as failing to meet any of the additional re4 quirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter 

5 beginning after the first regular session of the State legis6 lature that begins after the date of the enactment of this 

7 Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the State 

8 has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session 

9 is deemed to be a separate regular session of the State 

10 legislature. 

11 (c) APPLICATION TO PROGRAMS OPERATED BY IN12 DIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.—In the case of an Indian 

13 tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium that the 

14 Secretary of Health and Human Services determines re15 quires time to take action necessary to comply with the 

16 additional requirements imposed by the amendments made 

17 by this Act (whether the tribe, organization, or tribal con18 sortium has a plan under section 479B of the Social Secu19 rity Act or a cooperative agreement or contract entered 

20 into with a State), the Secretary shall provide the tribe, 

21 organization, or tribal consortium with such additional 

22 time as the Secretary determines is necessary for the tribe, 

23 organization, or tribal consortium to take the action to 

24 comply with the additional requirements before being re25 garded as failing to comply with the requirements. 
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1 TITLE II—STRENGTHENING 

2 STATE AND TRIBAL CHILD 

3 SUPPORT 

4 SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 

5 This title may be cited as the ‘‘Strengthening State 

6 and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act’’. 

7 SEC. 202. IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRIBAL 

8 CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. 

9 (a) IMPROVING THE COLLECTION OF PAST-DUE

10 CHILD SUPPORT THROUGH STATE AND TRIBAL PARITY

11 IN THE ALLOWABLE USE OF TAX INFORMATION.— 

12 (1) AMENDMENT TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY

13 ACT.—Section 464 of the Social Security Act (42 

14 U.S.C. 664) is amended by adding at the end the 

15 following: 

16 ‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY TO INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL

17 ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING A GRANT UNDER THIS

18 PART.—This section, except for the requirement to dis19 tribute amounts in accordance with section 457, shall 

20 apply to an Indian tribe or tribal organization receiving 

21 a grant under section 455(f) in the same manner in which 

22 this section applies to a State with a plan approved under 

23 this part.’’. 

24 (2) AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE

25 CODE.— 
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1 (A) Section 6103(a)(2) of the Internal 

2 Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 

3 ‘‘any local child support enforcement agency’’ 

4 and inserting ‘‘any tribal or local child support 

5 enforcement agency’’. 

6 (B) Section 6103(a)(3) of such Code is 

7 amended by inserting ‘‘, (8)’’ after ‘‘(6)’’. 

8 (C) Section 6103(l) of such Code is 

9 amended— 

10 (i) in paragraph (6)— 

11 (I) by striking ‘‘or local’’ in sub12 paragraph (A) and inserting ‘‘tribal, 

13 or local’’; 

14 (II) by striking ‘‘AND LOCAL’’ in 

15 the heading thereof and inserting 

16 ‘‘TRIBAL, AND LOCAL’’; 

17 (III) by striking ‘‘The following’’ 

18 in subparagraph (B) and inserting 

19 ‘‘The’’; 

20 (IV) by striking the colon and all 

21 that follows in subparagraph (B) and 

22 inserting a period; and 

23 (V) by adding at the end the fol24 lowing: 
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1 ‘‘(D) STATE, TRIBAL, OR LOCAL CHILD

2 SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.—For pur3 poses of this paragraph, the following shall be 

4 treated as a State, tribal, or local child support 

5 enforcement agency: 

6 ‘‘(i) Any agency of a State or political 

7 subdivision thereof operating pursuant to a 

8 plan described in section 454 of the Social 

9 Security Act which has been approved by 

10 the Secretary of Health and Human Serv11 ices under part D of title IV of such Act. 

12 ‘‘(ii) Any child support enforcement 

13 agency of an Indian tribe or tribal organi14 zation receiving a grant under section 

15 455(f) of the Social Security Act.’’; 

16 (ii) in paragraph (8)— 

17 (I) in subparagraph (A), by strik18 ing ‘‘or State or local’’ and inserting 

19 ‘‘, State, tribal, or local’’; 

20 (II) in subparagraph (B), by 

21 striking ‘‘enforced pursuant to a plan 

22 described’’ and all that follows 

23 through ‘‘of such Act’’ and inserting 

24 ‘‘enforced pursuant to the provisions 
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1 of part D of title IV of the Social Se2 curity Act’’; 

3 (III) by adding at the end of sub4 paragraph (B) the following: ‘‘The in5 formation disclosed to any child sup6 port enforcement agency under sub7 paragraph (A) with respect to any in8 dividual with respect to whom child 

9 support obligations are sought to be 

10 established or enforced may be dis11 closed by such agency to any agent of 

12 such agency which is under contract 

13 with such agency for purposes of, and 

14 to the extent necessary in, estab15 lishing and collecting child support 

16 obligations from, and locating, individ17 uals owing such obligations.’’; 

18 (IV) by striking subparagraph 

19 (C) and inserting the following: 

20 ‘‘(C) STATE, TRIBAL, OR LOCAL CHILD

21 SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.—For pur22 poses of this paragraph, the term ‘State, tribal, 

23 or local child support enforcement agency’ has 

24 the same meaning as when used in paragraph 

25 (6)(D).’’; and 
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1 (V) by striking ‘‘AND LOCAL’’ in 

2 the heading thereof and inserting 

3 ‘‘TRIBAL, AND LOCAL’’; and 

4 (iii) in paragraph (10)(B), by adding 

5 at the end the following new clause: 

6 ‘‘(iii) The information disclosed to any 

7 child support enforcement agency under 

8 subparagraph (A) with respect to any indi9 vidual with respect to whom child support 

10 obligations are sought to be established or 

11 enforced may be disclosed by such agency 

12 to any agent of such agency which is under 

13 contract with such agency for purposes of, 

14 and to the extent necessary in, establishing 

15 and collecting child support obligations 

16 from, and locating, individuals owing such 

17 obligations.’’. 

18 (D) Section 6103(p)(4) of such Code is 

19 amended— 

20 (i) by striking ‘‘subsection (l)(10), 

21 (13)(A), (13)(B), (13)(C), (13)(D)(i), (16), 

22 (18), (19), or (20), or any entity’’ in the 

23 matter preceding subparagraph (A) and in24 serting ‘‘subsection (l)(6), (8), (10), 

25 (13)(A), (13)(B), (13)(C), (13)(D)(i), (16), 
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1 (18), (19), or (20), or any Indian tribe or 

2 tribal organization receiving a grant under 

3 section 455(f) of the Social Security Act, 

4 or any entity’’; 

5 (ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (l)(10)’’ in 

6 subparagraph (F)(i) and inserting ‘‘sub7 section (l)(6), (8), (10)’’; 

8 (iii) by striking ‘‘subsection (l)(10), 

9 (13)(A), (13)(B), (13)(C), (13)(D)(i), (16), 

10 (18), (19), or (20) or any entity’’ each 

11 place it appears in the matter following 

12 subparagraph (F)(iii) and inserting ‘‘sub13 section (l)(6), (8), (10), (13)(A), (13)(B), 

14 (13)(C), (13)(D)(i), (16), (18), (19), or 

15 (20), or any Indian tribe or tribal organi16 zation receiving a grant under section 

17 455(f) of the Social Security Act, or any 

18 entity’’; and 

19 (iv) by inserting ‘‘, (8)’’ after ‘‘para20 graph (6)(A)’’ in the matter following sub21 paragraph (F)(iii). 

22 (E) Section 6103(p)(9) of such Code is 

23 amended by striking ‘‘or local’’ and inserting 

24 ‘‘tribal, or local’’. 
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1 (F) Section 6402(c) of such Code is 

2 amended by adding at the end the following: 

3 ‘‘For purposes of this subsection, any reference 

4 to a State shall include a reference to any In5 dian tribe or tribal organization receiving a 

6 grant under section 455(f) of the Social Secu7 rity Act.’’. 

8 (b) REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPORTS.—Section 

9 453(g) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(g)) is 

10 amended— 

11 (1) in the subsection heading, by striking 

12 ‘‘STATE’’; and 

13 (2) by striking ‘‘and State’’ and inserting ‘‘, 

14 State, and tribal’’. 

15 (c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Paragraphs (7) and 

16 (33) of section 454 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 

17 654) are each amended by striking ‘‘450b’’ and inserting 

18 ‘‘5304’’. 

Passed the House of Representatives September 18, 

2024. 

Attest: 

Clerk. 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 9076 

AN ACT 

To reauthorize child welfare programs under part B 

and for other purposes. forcement program under part D of such title, strengthen the State and tribal child support enof title IV of the Social Security Act and